The Wildcats played much better in the second half, but the closest they were able to come was 13 points (58-45) with 4:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.

"Our defense was the difference tonight," York High coach Troy Sowers said. "I thought that was our best all-around defensive effort of the season."

York also piled up a 44-22 rebounding advantage. The Bearcats earned second and third shots at the offensive end and fueled fast breaks with outlet passes at the other end of the floor.

Tavon Parker led York with 17 points to move within 26 points of 1,000 for his career. Ramel Stephens came off the bench to deliver 15 points for the Bearcats.

The 6-1 Stephens, who is an outstanding rebounder for his size, prefers coming off the bench to starting, which he did early in the season.

"I'm very comfortable coming off the bench," Stephens said. "I get to see the floor and see what the other team is doing. When I was starting, I felt as a senior, I had a lot to prove, and I would be pressing and forcing shots."

The Bearcats' senior has scored 33 points in the past two games, but he's only concerned with the final score.

"If the team gets a win, I get a win whether I score two points or 30 points," he said.

Stephens said the Bearcats' defensive showing on Tuesday night was a case of being fundamentally sound.

"In previous games, we were reaching a lot," he said. "Tonight, we played very fundamental defense, and we forced a lot of turnovers."

Dallastown pushed York High in the first meeting this year before losing, 70-61. The Wildcats, though, weren't able to consistently solve York's defense in the rematch.

"When they (York High) needed a stop, they got it," Dallastown coach Mike Grassel said. "Credit to them for going hard from the opening tip. Hopefully, we'll learn from tonight."

Ethan Sutton and Mike Gibbs combined for 31 of the Wildcats' 49 points.

York faces a showdown against second-place South Western at 7:30 Wednesday night in Hanover.